Crutch



H. A. TRACY Nov. 6, 1945.

CRUTCH Filed Jan. 20, 1945 I nventb r 15377231 frat} Attorney;

Patented Nov. 6, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CRUTCH Harris A. Tracy, Stoughton, Mass.

Application January 20, 1945,- Serial No. 573,662

, 2 Claims. (o1.'1s5 51) My invention relates to improvements in crutches, for walking purposes, the primary object in view being to provide a simply constructed, inexpensive crutch particularly adapted to ceeding description and claims are read with ref:

erence to the drawing accompanying and forming part of this specification.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of my improved crutch, in its preferred embodiment,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section, taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,' and drawn to an enlarged scale.

Figure 3 is a view'in transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, my improved crutch, as illustrated, comprises the usual rounded staif portion 1 from which rises a pair of like yoke-forming side members 2 of'the usual type, but split at their juncture with the staff portion I from the material of which the crutch is made, preferably wood. A rivet 3 is extended through the staff portion 1 at the juncture thereof with the side members'2 to prevent said staff portion I from splitting downwardly from said side members.

A cross bar of suitable material, preferably wood, and designated 4 extends between the side members 2 and at a suitable distance from the upper ends of said side members 2 to provide, together with said ends, a comparatively deep crotch 5 at the upper end of the crutch. The cross bar 4 is preferably formed with a relatively deep, concave upper edge 6. A cross rod 1 extending through the side members 2 and the cross bar 4 with riveted ends 8 secures the said cross bar and said side members 2 together.

Substantially midway, preferably, between the cross bar 4 and the stafi portion l, a pair of upper and lower, transverse hand grips 9, ll] of convex form longitudinally are fitted endwise between the side members 2 in closely adjacent relation and parallel, with rods ll, I2, similar to rod 1, extending therethrough and through said side members 2 to secure the hand grips inposition. The hand grips 9, 10 may be nested, one in a concavity l3 provided in the other to arrange said grips close together.

At the lower end of the staff portion I, a cylindrical socket member I4 is providedand which is formed of suitable resilient material, such as rubber. The socket member [4 is divided by a diametrical web l5, relatively thick, into a comparatively deep upper socket It by means of which said member is sleeved onto the stafi portion I and a shallower bottom socket I! in which is fitted a cushion tip l8 of softer resilient ma terial than that of the socket member IQ, for instance, soft rubber. A spike l9, or nail, having its head 20 suitably embedded in the tip l8 extends upwardly through the partition l5 and into the staff portion l and secures the socket member M to said staff portion, and the tip IS in the socket l'l.

In using the described crutch, the crotch 6 is suitably positioned under the arm and straddles the upper portion of the arm at the inner side thereof below the shoulder, the hand grasping the hand grips 9, I0. With the crotch so posi tioned, the entire weight of the body may be borne by the arms and the crutch may be held conveniently so as to prevent the crotch 6 from becoming displaced from proper position around the arms. The described double hand grips 9, l0 provide a more extensive hand grip surface, than in the usual crutch, obviating closing of the hand tightly and thereby cramping the palm and fingers. The socket l4 and tip I 8 provide inexpensive efiective means for cushioning the,

crutch which may be easily replaced as required.

The foregoing will, it is believed, sufiice to impart a clear understanding of my invention without further explanation.

Manifestly, the invention, as described, is susand inexpensively ceptible of modification without departing from.

said side membersbelow said crossbar and arranged close together for circumposition by a hand around the same.

2. A crutch comprising a staff portion, a. pair of yoke-forming side members rising from said staff portion, a cross bar extending between said side members below the upper ends of said members and forming with said upper ends a deep crotch for straddling the arm of the user, and

a pair of superposed hand grips extending between said side members below said cross bar and arranged close together for circumposition by a. hand around the same, one of said hand grips having a concavity therein and the other hand grip nesting in said concavity to dispose said grips close together.

HARRIS A. TRACY. 

